Despite breaking hearts nationwide last year by announcing that 2013 would be his last X Factor year, Louis Walsh has returned less than 12 months later to the judging panel. Fittingly, he has the kind of hyperbolic, enthusiastic praise he usually saves for the likes of Jedward for this year's series: "This year is fantastic. This was meant to be. This is the perfect X Factor panel, it really is."

2. "Cheryl Fernandez-Versini", as said by the X Factor voice-over artist

Cheryl Cole (neé Tweedy) became Cheryl Fernandez-Versini in July after marrying the lengthily named Jean-Bernard. Those who enjoyed the introductions of former contestants Rachel Adedeji, Ruth Lorenzo and Sophie Habibis by X Factor voice-over artist Peter Dickson will surely be looking forward to this season.

3. Potential squabbles between Louis, Cheryl and Simon?

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On the record, Simon's saying it "feels good to be reunited with Cheryl", despite also calling her both "fun" and "annoying". Similarly, Cheryl has called Simon "annoying" and wasted no time in hamming up the "begging and grovelling on Mr Cowell’s part".

Both have told The Radio Times more about their falling out, namely that it was over Cheryl's "totally crazy outfit and hair" (Simon's words). It looks likely to be a similar level of pantomime while the cameras are rolling.

4. Very young contestants

This year the age barrier has lowered to allow anyone from the age of 14 to audition for the X Factor. Simon says that this was after seeing that younger people could handle the pressure on his other TV talent leviathan, Britain's Got Talent. That remains to be seen, but one person who might not be coping is Mel B, who has said that saying no to younger auditionees is "probably one of the hardest things about being an X Factor judge".

5. Free mobile voting

Now the public can vote without the premium rate hotline – although probably after handing over some kind of personal data, instead. Still, in the age of second screening, the X Factor app will give the viewer the option to be a "fifth judge" and cast judgment and predictions on the outcome in real time.

6. The 'six chair challenge'

Fans of X Factor trivia will be aware of the "six chair challenge", which puts them at an advantage to Cheryl, who has called it "this chair business", and something which is "making her feel physically ill at the thought". The "challenge" - which sees auditionees told that they have a place in the next round after performing, only to be eliminated and replaced by another contestant if a judge on the show changes his or her mind - was deemed cruel after it first appeared last year. However, despite tabloid reports that it would replace Boot Camp in this series, both stages of the competition will take place.

Dermot O'Leary calls her "unproduceable" and has compared her to former judge Sharon Osbourne: "It doesn’t matter what anyone says to her, she knows her own mind.

"You need someone like that on the panel, you need someone who will make their decision instinctively and shoots from the hip."

Cheryl has warned that "Mel's a bit more blunt than I am in her approach", but has said that they share opinions when it comes to what makes a good girl group. Which isn't really surprising, as they are both former members of manufactured girl groups. In her own words, Mel says she's "really honest".

8. No more sob stories?

Simon has said he is "just so over sob stories" and is instead more interested in whether a contestant has a personality and talent. But he knows sob stories make great TV, we know they make great TV. The emotional audition of Hannah Barrett, the 17-year-old Greggs employee who had been kicked out of home was watched nearly 4.7 million times on YouTube, after all.

9. There will be at least one Ed Sheeran-type

Despite saying that she never looks for "the next" version of a current pop star, Cheryl has said "she would die for" him if he arrived at The X Factor to audition." Dermot O'Leary has also predicted the arrival of hundreds of tufty-haired guitarists: "At the moment we’re seeing a lot of boys pick up guitars because of James Arthur or people who are popular at the moment, like Ed Sheeran."

Louis's also got a soft spot for the flame-haired troubadour, because "he’s got the songs and he has got the likeability". Do they know that Sheeran probably won't audition for X Factor this year?